For their efforts in the recovery of the body of a Fort Riley soldier that drowned at Milford Lake Christmas Eve morning, members of the Geary County Sheriff’s Department were honored by the Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division.

Sheriff Tony Wolf, Undersheriff Brad Clark and Patrol Captain Eric Coffman were all presented with a certificate of appreciation by Major General Paul E. Funk II during Thursday mornings Military Affairs Council breakfast.

“First of all a traumatic experience for that family and a traumatic experience for us,” Funk said. “But these diligent professionals wouldn’t quit and in the epitome of being brave, responsible and on point for our nation, these guys continued to work to get our trooper out of that water.”

The soldier that drowned, Thomas Hedrick, was out duck hunting around Milford lake when he attempted to retrieve a duck that had landed on the ice. Hedrick got stranded on an ice sheet when his makeshift raft began taking on water. As rescue crews were working on a rescue effort Hedrick fell through the ice and crews were unable to save him.

Due to the weather conditions crews were unable to locate and recover Hedrick’s body until January 1.

Sheriff Wolf said that it was an honor to receive the recognition.

“What we did, we would have done for anybody, it’s just something we do. We did our job and it’s nice to get some good recognition every now and then,” Wolf said.